Free pulse checks for a healthy heart

A sustained flutter in the chest could be more serious than you think.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) affects 1-2% of New Zealanders making it the most common heart rhythm disorder in the country.

Often a silent illness, AF may go undetected. That’s why Waikato DHB Cardiologist, Dr Martin Stiles, in conjunction with the New Zealand Heart Foundation are volunteering across the region to raise the awareness of AF in support of a new worldwide campaign.

“AF increases the risk of a stroke by up to five times” says Dr Stiles.

“The earlier the detection and treatment, the better chance people have of preventing more serious complications and living active lives.”

On Thursday 28 July 2016, 1-4pm, at Waikato Hospital on Level 1 Meade Clinical Centre, Dr Stiles and members of the Cardiology community will be offering the public free pulse checks, advice and information on AF.

Associate Professor Gerard Devlin, Heart Foundation Medical Director, says “Heightening awareness of AF to the New Zealand public and the risk of stroke is really important particularly as we have better drug treatment available to reduce this risk than ever before.”

More about Atrial Fibrillation

According to the Heart Foundation about 46,000 people in New Zealand are affected by AF.

The risk of developing AF increases with age. It affects 4 in every 100 people over the age of 65 and 10 in every 100 people above 80 years old.